Wildcat Great, Paul Blanchard, Has Passed Away

Posted by Dan Jensen and Ed Davis

Paul Blanchard was a Wildcat basketball player in the mid-1950's.  He is especially remembered as a post player on that great 1956 team that won its first 32 games.  His contributions to the team and the school (then Webster High School) will always be remembered and cherished and he will be greatly missed by family and friends everywhere.  He passed away peacefully at his home in Plum, Texas, on December 5, 2018. Below is his official obituary.

Obituary of Paul Blanchard: 

Paul Andrew Blanchard (Doc) passed away quietly at his home in Plum, Texas on December 5, 2018.

He is survived by his wife, Sara Morgan Blanchard; three sons and four daughters: oldest son, Paul Andrew Blanchard, Jr. and family reside in Santa Fe, Texas; son, James Scott Blanchard and family reside in Houston, Alaska; youngest son, Pardon Delore (Dink) Blanchard resides in Plum, Texas; daughters are Misty D. Blanchard of La Grange, Texas; Robin Lee Georgens and husband, Matt, of Deltona, Florida; Reta Celestine (Cyndi) Parker of Fort Worth, Texas; youngest daughter, Jill McIntyre and husband, Bill, reside in Graham, Texas. Paul had fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Surviving also is his only brother, Robert (Bob) Blanchard and wife, Anita, of La Grange, Texas.

In 1955, before turning eighteen, Paul Andrew Blanchard joined the United States Navy and served during the Vietnam War. He retired from military service in August 1975 after serving twenty years. Paul then returned to his childhood home in League City, Texas where he became a journeyman pipefitter working out of Local 211. In 2002, Paul retired and raised cattle in Plum, Texas with wife, Sara, until his passing.

Paul and Sara are members of the First Presbyterian Church in La Grange, Texas and occasionally attended services and music specials in Kirtley, Texas at the Cowboy Church. He was also an “old geezer” and enjoyed socializing, discussing politics and cussing politicians over coffee with his fellow “old geezer’s” at Latte’ on the Square in La Grange. Paul will be missed by friends and family, but our hearts are lightened knowing that he is on his eternal journey. We take comfort in the knowledge that we will see him again when our time is determined by the Almighty.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl, La Grange, Texas. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.

 

Comments

[Ed Davis - Class of 1959]

I remember Paul and that great 1956 team well. I was a freshman that year and had a lot of role models to follow for that team. The team was a great inspiration to us all.

[Dan Jensen]

The 1956 team took a 32-0 record to the state tournament. This was a lower scoring era than today and it is very noteworthy that we lost an 84-81 mawtapper to Phillips in the first game. What a crushing loss for the Wildcats and I still have not gotten over it. The total score was a state record for all classes for many years. The starters were seniors Paul, Pat Jensen and Garvis Hadley and juniors James Davis and Robert Brown. The scoring averages were about the same for all five and Paul led with 13.3 per game. In the third place game, Paul scored 18 in a 76-73 win over Waxahachie. Only Hadley and Brown are still living among the starters.